GOP Admits They Have “No Viable Plans for Replacing Critical Health Benefits for Millions of Americans” if Law is Repealed
James Called the Health Care Law a “Monstrosity” and Vowed to Repeal It As Senator
Republicans currently suing to gut protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions are trying to protect candidates like John James, who has supported the GOP’s politically toxic repeal efforts, from the inevitable political backlash. The Washington Post reported this week that the GOP will ask to “delay any changes” to the health care law until after the 2020 election, knowing just how toxic John James’ positions are in Michigan.
Republicans admitted they have “no viable plan for replacing health benefits for millions of Americans,” but they are still moving forward with the reckless lawsuit to tear down the health care law. James infamously tried to delete a video of him calling the health care law a “monstrosity” while vowing to repeal it as Senator. James has also voiced his 2000% support for President Trump, whose administration is currently supporting the GOP lawsuit in federal court.
The Washington Post also reported last week on the mounting evidence that the law “has saved lives” in Michigan. Studies show that expanded coverage under Healthy Michigan led to “fewer complications” in heart surgeries and improved diagnosis rates for patients suffering from chronic diseases.
“John James and Republicans’ crusade to gut protections for Michiganders with pre-existing conditions and increase health care costs is so toxic, they are trying to hide their record until after the election,” said MDP Spokesperson Alex Japko. “James’ support for GOP efforts to dismantle the health care law that has saved lives here would not only harm Michiganders, it would doom his campaign.”
Washington Post: Trump administration plans to delay any changes if the ACA loses in court
By Paige Winfield Cunningham and Yasmeen Abutaleb
October 6, 2019
Key Points:
- The Trump administration, with no viable plan for replacing critical health benefits for millions of Americans, plans to seek a stay if a federal appeals court invalidates all or part of the Affordable Care Act in the coming weeks — and may try to delay a potential Supreme Court hearing on the matter until after the 2020 presidential election, according to current and former administration officials.
- The administration’s plan to seek a stay of any court ruling that undermines the law reflects the political disadvantages of its decision to side with GOP-led states seeking to topple the ACA, also known as Obamacare. Even as the Justice Department urges the courts to invalidate the entire ACA, administration officials are promising voters that there will be no immediate impact on their coverage.
- The administration also hopes to slow the case’s progress to the Supreme Court, to avoid having its efforts to invalidate the law spotlighted during President Trump’s reelection bid, two former administration officials said.
- Senior administration officials say their replacement “plan” is a statement of principles they plan to send to Congress… But the administration does not have a plan for a bipartisan bill that would cover as many people as the ACA and could pass Congress.
- Even when Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress and the White House in 2017, they repeatedly failed to deliver on an eight-year promise to repeal and replace the law. Most congressional Republicans are unwilling to revisit the health-care fight, which they fear will cost them more seats. Several Republican aides said their offices had not spoken with the administration about a contingency plan if the Affordable Care Act is struck down.
- The administration also does not want to put out a detailed plan for Democrats to pick apart just as the campaign heats up. Efforts to repeal the law in 2017 were highly unpopular, and government estimates showed that millions would lose their health insurance under Republican proposals.
